OurWilderTimes: September 2017

Note to self: Here we are again... two weeks later! How is this happening!? These last two weeks have been busy with lots of fun and exciting weekends. I can officially say I am starting to enjoy being pregnant. I still wouldn't say this is the best thing ever, but it is pretty miraculous that I am growing a human inside me AND that Jameson and I created a human. It is pretty surreal to really stop and think about it. The part I am enjoying most is the changes of the movements. They are much more pronounced and Jameson gets to feel them once in awhile when baby is finally doing something repetitive. The movements/kicks are stronger and just different. They still don't feel like I could know what limb is kicking but they are typically in the same places (near my right and left hip). When my bladder is full I feel them even more! It's so crazy! I am also starting to enjoy my round belly. Prior to being 5 months preggo I never would have thought that I could "miss" being pregnant but now that I have this thing kicking and moving around all the time it is such an odd feeling that it won't be there soon! Obviously I know I will have a baby to take care of outside the womb, but inside is just so COOL! :)
Another note to self I want to remember is the fun fact that when i eat food in the car, well I eat my breakfast every single morning M-F, which is a egg & cheese homemade breakfast sandwich made by Jameson on toast... the crumbs from my sandwich accumulate at the top on my belly. It is quite hilarious!

How many weeks pregnant?

26 & 27 weeks

Which trimester are you in?

2nd, almost 3rd!

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 14.5 inches, 2lbs
(baby's weight doubled in the last 4 weeks)

Have you started to show yet?
Like I mentioned above I am starting to really enjoy the showing part. There are so many stages of "showing" that I didn't know I would get "comfortable". I say "comfortable" with quotes because its not that I am literally comfortable, its more like I have mentally understood this is what it feels like. Its very hard to explain or write what I mean...My pregnancy app has reminded me that these last few weeks my uterus has gone from a soccer ball to a basketball ball.

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
This last week I have developed ankle and feet swelling. It totally freaked me out because it was SO extreme! But I was also participating in extreme behavior (ie my best friend Katie's bachelorette party which involved standing on my feet in heels for 4 hours in a club!). The swelling finally subsided two days after getting home and tons of elevating. After contacting my friends about when their swelling started and reading my "what to expect book" I learned 27 weeks is the normal time to develop feet/ankle or finger swelling. Thankfully my wedding ring and band still fit with no major finger swelling! I have now invested in some more compression stockings to wear at work. Another pregnancy symptom I am noticing is that I am getting a bit more tired. Second Trimester has treated me well and I have been able to go weeks without needing a nap, but lately I have been utterly exhausted after all day events (ie again bachelorette party did me in!). As I enter in 3rd trimester and closer and closer I know naps will be my friend again :)

Happy or moody most of the time?
HAPPY!
Like jumping up and down happy because Jameson got a job offer that he likes and is excited for! So much less stress in our household! Also happy to finally be 'settling in' to our house, being pregnant, and work is calming down.

Any cravings?
Chocolate/Candy/Sweets! I feel like my chocolate cravings are a bit out of control. They way that I keep them in control is by having one small piece after each meal, rather than just waiting a few days and then eating WAY too much! At this moment I prefer any sort of M&M, but especially crispy or peanut butter. I also still really enjoy and eat almost every day cucumbers and ranch or carrots and ranch. I also just started eating edamame for some iron and those are a great addition to my lunches too!

Any food aversions?
Yes, still not eating chicken or bacon.
I just prefer vegetarian options or beef only.

Sleep?
Sleep is getting a bit harder. I am still exhausted once I get into bed so falling asleep is fine, then main issue is moving in the middle of the night. It takes a few tries to get to the other side. What is the hardest about bed, is getting OUT! Man, what a work out!

Highlight of the week?

Week 26: My SIL Cary (Jameson's brother's wife) is due with her third baby on October 8th, so I had the pleasure of celebrating her with our friends for a little "sprinkle" (instead of the common shower term). Eight friends got together for the most delicious family style FEAST (brunch) and spoiled Cary with an awesome pre-natal massage gift certificate. It was a nice day out. I am SO excited to find out if we she is having a boy or girl and to meet the newest Wilder baby. I feel like once her baby arrives, Jameson and I are going to realize how close ours is to arrive! A couple pictures below of Cary's Sprinkle (I forgot to take any photos of the food!)

Week 27: This week had tons of highlights. The BEST highlight was that Jameson was offered a 1 year contract job with Apple Maps!!! I have not talked much on the blog about his unemployment status, but he was laid off on his birthday weekend (May 27th) and has been struggling to find another job. We are both so relieved and excited for this new job journey and finally having a job people can relate to and Jameson enjoys! He starts next week, 9/27. Details to follow.
The other highlight of this week was my best friend Katie's bachelorette party! When we started planning this I was very early on in my pregnancy and I could not imagine going to a bachelorette party without drinking! However, I still was able to 'hang' and keep up with the girls being almost 7 months pregnant! It was super fun spoiling and celebrating Katie but it was also SO exhausting! I ended up dancing (sober) in the club with the girls and staying up til almost 3am. I was definitely feeling it all week. I think I am still tired. It was a bit too much for my body! Some fun pictures below.

Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?

Yes! I am still trying to wear some of my old clothes here and there but my rounding belly makes the clothing stretch out A LOT. I finally gave in and ordered more maternity clothes for winter. I thought I could just wear some of my bigger sweaters, but people have warned me that I will regret it later when the clothes are all stretched out. trying on my clothes or trying to button shirts that dont button is the weirdest feeling. When i try to button them and i cant it is still shocking to me. I dont realize how round I really am!

Have any stretch marks or skin changes?

Stretch marks - Yep, unfortunately my belly is covered with them :(

Skin changes - the redness and scars on my ankle where I had ankle surgery are so RED and dark! Also I am starting to notice little cuts on my hands or arms take forever to heal and the redness stays a long time. My armpits are also darker (so weird!!).

Has your belly button popped out?

My belly button looks very different but still is an innie.
I think it will probably stay that way sadly! haha

Feel any kicks?

YES! All the time!!! Its Is SOOO AMAZING! Like beyond my wildest thought of how it would feel! The kicks are getting stronger and more consistent. They are still pretty low on my belly which I think is because I am so tall. It feels like the baby is in my right and left hips. Sometimes I can feel a bump or my belly looks uneven but nothing consistent enough to get on video :)

Gender prediction:

When people ask me if I have an idea what it is, I had always said no not at all. But then recently I was holding my coworkers 3 month old baby girl and it just occurred to me that I could have a girl!!! HAHA! I did not realize that I have been thinking it was a boy. So we will see!

How has Dad been this week?

Jameson is pretty excited to start his new job. He also has an opportunity for an inter/mentorship that he is in the middle of interviewing for. It is the best timing as it takes about 15-20 per week on top of working 40hours per week. The internship has promising job opportunity at the end, which would be around the time the baby comes. We will see where all of this takes him! He's very relived that he does not have to keep job hunting and that he can focus more on us (me & baby). He painted the nursery during week 27. Here is a go pro time lapse video of his handy work! The final color is mint!

Click here for Painting of the baby's Nursery

Photos of Cary's Sprinkle on 9/9/17

Theme was called "Mom-mosa"

Photos from Katie's Bachelorette party in Santa Barbara 9/14-9/17/17

"fiesta" themed party!

Celebrating Jameson's Job!

We went out a nice dinner and came back to indulge in this red velvet cake! Yum!!!

WEEK 26 Bump Photo:

WEEK 27 Bump photo:

Newly painted nursery!
Still have wall decorations and shelving to build but coming along!

Note to self: These past weeks have again FLOWN by! Besides the 100* degree temps that we have been experiencing, I feel that I am finally getting more used to the "new normal". I am feeling happier about the whole experience and less uncomfortable with all the "newness". I am still adjusting to the changes but reaching the 6 month (24 week) marker is a BIG one for me and very happy to be settling into my new self. My doctor's phrase "preparing for the end" still seems like a LONG way away, but also seems like it will be here before we know it.

How many weeks pregnant?

24 & 25 weeks (6 months!!!)

Which trimester are you in?

2nd!

Baby’s size?

Baby is approx 9 inches, 1lb 7oz, size of a rutabaga
(we do not know what that is... looks like a large turnip!)

Have you started to show yet?
Yes! My belly still looks different to me every week. Sometimes it looks lopsided and sometimes it looks high and then low. I have not heard yet "your carrying high or low." I am sure those comments will come soon enough!

What are some of your pregnancy symptoms?
Well since I have been battling with constipation this whole time, my doctor decided to put me on a 2 week trial of prenatal vitamins without Iron and for me to get exercise once per day. I also started taking magnesium to help with the leg cramps. It has only been 5 days, but seems to be helping! Because of the 100 degree weather I have been developing some feet and finger swelling. Lastly, my preggo brain is still pretty foggy but I am learning to be patient with myself.

Happy or moody most of the time?
HAPPY!
I am finally feeling somewhat like my normal self and enjoying it!

Any cravings?
Chocolate! Any kind! Also almonds are my favorite snack. I pretty much like all food which is a problem! I wish I wasn't so hungry! I am completely OVER the hamburger phase ... yuck! Ate way too many. Lately I have been wanting spicy foods but then regret it when I have heart burn.

Any food aversions?
I still don't really like chicken. I will eat it in small amounts but would rather avoid it.

Sleep?
Learning how to sleep in my side comfortably. So far still sleeping well.

Highlight of the week?

Week 24: Crib & dresser arrived! Starting to get the nursery together
Week 25: Labor Day weekend with Jameson's brother & Twinzies
(pictures below)

Are you wearing maternity clothes yet?

Mostly. I can still wear some of my non maternity shirts or dresses but some times they are not long enough to wear in public ;)

Have any stretch marks or skin changes?

Stretch marks - Yep, unfortunately they have now turned purple, but my doctor said they do go back to being skin colored post pregnancy so that's good news.

Skin changes - My freckles on my face are so dark! Also my belly is very furry :)

Has your belly button popped out?

Still a stretched out innie! I am really really hoping it pops!

Feel any kicks?

YES! All the time!!! Its Is SOOO AMAZING! Jameson finally felt it for the first time during week 24. They are still a pitter patter feeling mostly but sometimes it feels like someone had tapped or bumped my stomach (hard to explain). Last night I also felt a slow lump move across my lower abdomen. That was the craziest feeling of all! Of course when ever I am eating chocolate Baby W seems to move more!

Gender prediction:

Nothing this week. We are struggling with a girl's name, but have set on a boy's name so far. We'll see! It seems to change weekly.

How has Dad been this week?

Pretty happy he finally got to feel the baby kick! He has helped pick out the paint for the nursery and gather some baby stuff from our friends. He will be painting the nursery in the next couple of weeks. I am so excited!

Here are some pictures of the nursery coming along:

As you can see we were still deciding on the paint color. We are going with the lower left swatch that you can't see very well. It's called Creme de mint. The dresser will be moved eventually the other wall.